Stowable steps

ABSTRACT

A step or platform adapted to be mounted to the receiver of a trailer hitch selectively movable from a stowed to a deployed position without vertical movement, said platform is automatically locked in its selected position and includes a safety mechanism preventing inadvertent movement. The platform is separate from the mounting/control mechanism for storage and shipping, but secure and stable.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/802,286 filed Mar. 8, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,484.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to novel, improved, vehicle-mountablesteps having a platform that can be moved between deployed (operative)and stowed positions without requiring vertical displacement.

Currently devices embodying the principles of the present invention havea bracket that fits in the receiver (socket) of a conventionalball-and-socket type trailer hitch. The principles of the presentinvention will be developed primarily with reference to the applicationof the invention to a vehicle mounted to stowable platform. It is to beunderstood that this is being done for the sake of brevity and clarityand is not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles such as many pickup trucks, vans, RVs, and SUVs have cargo bedslocated at a considerable height above ground level. This makes itdifficult for many persons to climb into the vehicle and also difficultto lift many loads into the vehicle bed. For example, many persons havedogs which cannot jump into a truck or SUV bed, which can be 25-30inches or more off the ground; and it can prove difficult to lift largerdogs (and other animals) to the necessary height. Even some large dogssuch as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Labrador Retrievershave some difficulty jumping into and out of these types of vehicles.Many smaller breeds can't get in or out at all. As animals age theybecome increasingly susceptible to arthritis in their hips and elbows.This aging process makes getting in and out of vehicles even moredifficult.

Also, many activities involve the putting on and taking off of boots,waders or other articles of clothing. It is oftentimes difficult to puton or remove these items while sitting in a seat or on the back bumperof a vehicle. Consequently, there is a need for a device which will alsoprovide a seat for persons engaged in the foregoing and other tasks.

Steps or platforms (and other devices) intended to solve this problemhave been proposed.

A vehicle step which has the advantage that it can be rotated betweenoperative and stowed positions so that it can be left on the vehiclewhile the vehicle is moving is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,362issued Apr. 14, 1998. This step, however, has the drawback that the stepitself, and associated structure, must be lifted and rotated to move itbetween operative and stowed positions. This can be cumbersome if thestep is large or heavy. Furthermore, only a keeper held in place bygravity retains the step in the position to which it is rotated. Inrough terrain, the keeper may bounce upwardly and allow the step torotate out of the intended position, possibly damaging the device andcausing other problems.

Other products which have been tried but failed to meet the needaddressed by the present invention include, but are not necessarilylimited to, the following:

Pet Step Ramp—This product is a plastic molded ramp that one can set onthe bumper of a the vehicle to allow a dog to walk up or down into andout of the back of the vehicle. There are several problems with thisproduct. One, there would need to be considerable room behind thevehicle to allow the product to be used. This space could be difficultto find in many urban parking situations. A second problem is where tostow the ramp when it is not being used.

Hitch Extender Step—This product does not extend as far back as the PetStep Ramp but has the added problem of protruding beyond the bumper ifleft in place while driving. If it is removed and replaced between uses,the issue of storage becomes significant. Another problem is that thestep is higher than may be useful since it is on the same level as thereceiver of the hitch to which the device is mounted.

Receiver Hitch Stairs—This product has more problems in addition to theones which make the Hitch Extender Step unsatisfactory. Perhaps the mostserious is that the top step interferes with the back hatch of mostvehicles, requiring it to be removed between uses.

Hitch Step—This product does not have the storage problems of theproducts above, but it is too small to effectively be used for thedesired uses, such as sitting on to put on or take off boots, or to beused as a step by most dogs, or to be used to place objects on.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There has now been invented and disclosed herein a new and novel stepwhich, like the step disclosed in the '362 patent, is designed to bemounted to the vehicle associated receiver of a trailer hitch. And, likeits previously patented counterpart, the hitch disclosed herein can beswung between functioning and stowed positions. The current step,however, has the advantage that it can be moved between these twopositions without lifting the step and the components utilized to mountthe step to a trailer hitch component.

The steps of the present invention have a platform to which a hollow,vertically extending column is fixed such that the platform and columnrotate as a unit. A complementary sleeve surrounds the vertical column,and a beam dimensioned to fit into a trailer hitch receiver is attachedat one end to the sleeve such that the sleeve is fixed against rotationrelative to the sleeve. Also present in the step is a mechanism whichcan be unlocked by pressing down on an actuator component of themechanism. This allows a platform component of the step to be rotatedfrom a stowed position to its operational position and vice versa. Whenthe platform reaches the position to which it is moved, the lockingcomponents of the latching mechanism automatically re-engage, retainingthe platform in the stowed or deployed position to which it is moved.

With the step deployed to its operational configuration, the platform ofthe step is available for use in helping persons and animals into andout of the bed of a vehicle equipped with the step. Deployed, theplatform can also be used as a seat and as a support for objectsincluding those of a significant size and/or weight.

Ease of operation and simplicity are other important features of thepresent invention.

The safety features, including stability and the ability to preventinadvertent unlatching of the device remain critical to the device.

The present device is capable of being stored and shipped in a totallycollapsed condition and yet easily assembled into a rigid stable unit.

Also:

The platform of the step can be stowed out of the way until needed.

The platform is securely locked in place when stowed or deployed.

The step is sturdy enough for very large animals, persons, and otherappreciable loads.

The step can be easily removed for replacement with the male (ball)component of a trailer hitch for towing.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will beapparent to the reader from the foregoing and the appended claims and asthe ensuing detailed description and discussion proceeds in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of: (a) a vehicle equipped with a trailerhitch, and (b) a step which embodies the principles of the presentinvention and is mounted to the trailer hitch of the vehicle; in thisfigure the step is shown in a stowed configuration in which a platformof the step is locked in an out-of-the-way position beneath the rear endof the vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but with the platform of the stepdeployed to a position in which it is available for use as a step, seat,support, and the like;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the step shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; this viewshows, among others, the components of a latching (or locking) mechanismwhich keeps the platform of the step in the position—stowed ordeployed—to which a person moves the platform;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the step with the platform of the step in itsstowed position; this view shows an actuator depressed to disengage thelocking mechanism so that the platform can be displaced to its deployedposition; depressing the same actuator when the platform is deployedsimilarly disengages the locking mechanism and allows the platform to bedisplaced to its stowed position;

FIG. 5 is a section through the step taken along line 5—5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but looking at the side of the stepin its stowed configuration with the actuator depressed to unlatch thelocking mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a section through the step, taken along line 7—7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the step in its deployed configuration; inthis view the actuator is in a position which allows complementarycomponents of the locking mechanism to engage and lock the platform ofthe step in its deployed position;

FIG. 9 is a section through the step taken along line 9—9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view like FIG. 8 but looking at a side of the step;

FIG. 11 is a section through the step taken along line 11—11 of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of an assembly which is acomponent of the FIGS. 1 and 2 step; the assembly includes the platformof the step, a platform-supporting framework of structural members; anda vertically-extending, tubular support housing (or cylinder) for othercomponents of the step;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the FIGS. 12 and 13 assembly;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the FIGS. 1 and 2 step: this figureshows in detail a protective platform cover omitted in FIGS. 12-14 inthe interest of clarity; and

FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views of the step with the platformcover snapped in place.

FIG. 18 is an exploded isometric of an improved step platform.

FIG. 19 is an isometric from the bottom of the platform.

FIG. 20 is a partial section through the latch mechanism with the safetyin the unlatched position but the actuator in its upper unlockedposition.

FIG. 21 is a partial section through the latch mechanism with theactuator in its lower unlocked position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2, there is depicted an SUW(Sport Utility Vehicle) 20 equipped with a conventional trailer hitchwhich includes a socket or receiver 22 (see FIG. 5). A step 24 having astowable and deployable platform 26 and embodying the principles of thepresent invention is mounted to vehicle 20 by a beam component 28 of thestep (see FIG. 3). Component 28 is installed in trailer hitch receiver22 and retained in place by a conventional trailer hitch pin 30. In thestowed configuration of step 24, the platform 26 of the step ispositioned out-of-the-way under the rear bumper 31 of vehicle 20 (seeFIG. 1). In the deployed, functional configuration of the step, platform26 extends rearwardly beyond bumper 31 (see FIG. 2) and is available forassisting persons, animals, etc., to climb in and out of SUV 20 and tofunction as a seat and a support for objects.

Referring to FIGS. 3-11, the stowable and deployable platform 26,discussed above, and the mounting beam 28 by which the step is mountedto vehicle 20 are major components of step 24. Other major components ofthe step, best shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, include: a hollow,inner cylinder or column 32; a complementary, also hollow, outercylinder (or sleeve) 34; a latch mechanism 36 for positively holding theplatform 26 of step 24 in its stowed position (FIG. 1) and in itsdeployed position (FIG. 2); and an actuator 38 which, when depressed,allows platform 26 to be displaced from the FIG. 1 stowed position tothe FIG. 2 deployed position and vice versa.

As shown in FIGS. 12-14, platform 26 has a support assembly 39 made upof front, rear, and side, channel-shaped girders 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48and a brace 50, also of a channel-shaped configuration and extendingfrom front girders 40 and 42 to rear girder 44.

Supported by, and fixed to the assembly 39 of girders 40-48 and brace 50is a plate or deck 52.

The inner column 32 of step 24 extends downwardly through an aperture 54in deck 52 (FIG. 14) to a location between: (at front girders 40 and 42,and (b) brace 50 (FIG. 13). The lower end 35 of column 32 is fixed, asby welding, to the structural components 40, 42, and 50.

As suggested above, and as best shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 9 and 11, step 24also has an cuter column 34 which surrounds the just-discussed innercolumn 32. Outer column 34 is supported from inner column 32 by andbetween lower and upper, flanged fixtures 56 and 58 fixed in anyconvenient manner to the inner column. These fixtures provide forrelative rotational movement between the inner and outer columns aboutaxis 60 (see FIGS. 4-11).

As discussed above, a beam 28, which can be slid into trailer hitchreceiver 22, couples step 24 to vehicle 20. More particularly, beam 28is fixed to, and extends normally from, vertically oriented, outersleeve 34. Thus, with the step installed, outer column 34 of the step isheld against rotation, while lower and upper mounting flanges 56 and 58keep inner column 32 and platform 26 from moving up and down withrespect to outer column 34 and, consequentially, to vehicle 20. At thesame time, when the latch is released, inner column 32 and platform 26are free to rotate as a unit between the FIG. 1 stowed position of theplatform and the FIG. 2 deployed position as shown by the double-headedarrow 62 in FIG. 5.

That platform 26 remains in the same plane as it is moved between itsstowed and deployed positions is a significant feature of the presentinvention. It distinguishes steps as disclosed herein from thosedisclosed in the '362 patent. As discussed above, the patented step hasthe significant disadvantage that it must be lifted to displace the stepto its stowed and deployed positions.

As discussed above, step 24 has a mechanism 36 for locking the platform26 of the step in the FIG. 1 stowed position and in the FIG. 2 deployedposition. This mechanism (see FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11) includes lockingelements 64 and 66, a cam component 68, and a compression spring 70.Locking elements 64 and 66 are spheres or balls. These balls aredisposed in complementary apertures 72 and 74 spaced 180° apart in theinner column 32 of step 22. The locking elements are kept in thoseapertures by a tapered, element-engaging or cam surface 76 of cam 68.

Cam 68 is biased to the upper position of that component shown in FIGS.9 and 11 by compression spring 70. The lower end of that spring rests ona support pin 78 spanning inner column 32 and extending into apertures80 and 82 on opposite sides of the inner column. An integral, dependentboss 84 of cam 68 surrounds the upper end 86 of compression spring 70and keeps the spring in place in the hollow interior 88 of inner column32.

With platform 26 in its stowed or deployed positions, compression spring70 is expanded as suggested by arrow 90 and biases cam 68 to the “upper”position of that component shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. With cam 68 in thisposition, locking elements 64 and 66 are displaced outwardly by camsurface 76 (arrows 92 and 94 of FIG. 11) into equiangularly spaced apartapertures 96 and 98 formed in outer step column 34. With the cam in theFIG. 11 position, locking elements 64 and 66 are consequently engagedboth in inner column apertures 72 and 74 and in outer column apertures96 and 98. This locks outer column 34 of step 22 to inner column 32,keeping these columns from rotating relative to each other andconsequently keeping platform 26 in the position—stowed or deployed—towhich the platform has been rotably displaced.

When one wishes to move the platform 26 of step 24 from its stowedposition to its deployed position or vice versa, actuator 38 of the stepis displaced downwardly as suggested by arrow 100 in FIGS. 9 and 11.Actuator 38 surrounds, and is slidable up and down on, the outer column34 of step 24. It is kept in place on the column as by screws 102 and104 (FIG. 3) which fix a horizontal, integral element 106 of the coverto the upper end 108 of cam 68. These fasteners are typically concealedby a snap-in cover plate such as the one identified by referencecharacter 110 in FIG. 3 but otherwise omitted in the drawings in theinterest of clarity. With actuator 38 depressed (see especially FIG. 7),a nipped in portion 112 of cam surface 76 is located opposite theapertures 96 and 98 in the outer column 34 of step 24. This allowslocking elements 64 and 66 to move out of the outer column apertures 96and 98, freeing inner column 32 and platform 26 for rotation between thestowed and deployed positions of the platform as suggested byabove-described, double headed arrow 62.

Once movement in an arrow 62 direction has been initiated, actuator 68can be released. When this occurs, spring 70, compressed by thedownward, arrow 100 displacement of actuator 38 and cam 68 expands,biasing the cam upwardly so that locking elements 64 and 66 will popinto outer column apertures 96 and 98 when the new position is reached.This relocks outer column 34 to inner column 32 and keeps platform 26 inthe new position with the locking elements 64 and 66 being so retainedby virtue of cam 68 being returned to its upper, column-locking positionshown in FIGS. 9 and 11 by the biasing force exerted by the now free toexpand compression spring 70.

As cam 36 moves up and down in inner column 32, it is guided by O-rings114 and 115 at the lower and upper ends 116 and 108 of the cam. Thetravel of cam 68 is limited by a pin 118 which spans and is mounted inthe upper end 108 of column 32 and extends through a verticallyelongated slot in and near the upper end 108 of the cam. Also, whenactuator 38 is depressed to shift platform 26 from one to the other ofthat components stowed and deployed positions, pin 118, which rests onflanged fixture 58, keeps outer column 34 from sliding up on innercolumn 32. Platform 52, which is spaced only slightly from platform deck52, keeps the outer column 34 from sliding down on inner column 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-17, an optional but preferable component ofthe step 24 is a platform cover 130 which keeps the upper surface ofplatform deck 52 from becoming dirty as it is otherwise apt to do withplatform 26 in its stowed position under vehicle 20, especially if thevehicle is traveling over wet and muddy surfaces. Cover 130 has an upperpanel 132, a depending front panel 134, and depending rear panels 136and 138. The depending panels 134, 136, and 138 are detachably securedto the front and rear girders or structural members 38, 40, and 42 ofplatform 26 as by the illustrated snaps, all identified in the drawingsby reference character 140. To expose the deck of platform 26, the rearpanels 136 and 138 of cover 130 can be unsnapped, and cover 130 simplyallowed to hang down as shown in FIG. 15. Alternatively, front panel 134can also be unsnapped and cover 130 completely removed from the deck 52of step 24.

The details of cover 130 are not critical as far as the presentinvention is concerned. Of those details, the only ones deemednoteworthy are the cutout 142 (FIGS. 16 and 17) which accommodates theouter column 34 of step 24 and the typical manufacture of the cover froma nonskid material which offers optimal use of the step with the coverin place.

An improved embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 18-21,wherein identical numbers are utilized to identify parts which areidentical to those in the initial embodiment.

Attention is especially directed to FIG. 18, wherein it is to be notedthat the top of the figure now includes a safety mechanism or lever 200which, as explained hereinafter, extends through a slot in the upperportion of actuator 38 across the top of the modified cam component 68extending downwardly to contact the upper surface of control cylinder202 and is held in position over cylinder 202 by means of spring 204.Cam 68 has been modified in that it now has four distinct cam surfaces206, including relatively flat exterior portions ending upwardly into arecessed groove 208 which underlies the main body portion 210 whichincludes an elongated vertical groove 212 to receive pin 104 whichextends through aligned bores 214 and through column 32. Four balls 216or stop members reside in the interior portion of ring 202 between ring202 and column 32. When step 26 is in its locked position, either stowedor deployed, the balls 216 are held in place by flats 206 and extendbetween the bores 218 220 and the bores 220 in column 32, rendering theunits integral, and as explained hereinafter, preventing the rotation ofthe step 26. As explained hereinabove and further explained hereinafter,the safety lever 200 must be pushed inwardly before the actuator 38 maybe moved down, causing the balls 216 to move into groove 208, allowingthe rotation of column relative to collar 34 thereby moving step 26.Collar 202 is held rigid with bar 28 since depending tab 222 extendsinto the slot 224 in bar 28.

Step 26 is removable from the remainder of the assemblage for shippingpurposes, as explained hereinafter and further allows the step to beassembled into two alternate positions by means of a pin 226 extendingthrough either one of the bores 228, accommodated by shaft extension230. Further, as seen in this view, is a low friction plastic collar 232which surrounds cylinder 32 and lubricating it from fixed collar 34.

Reference is now had to FIG. 19 which depicts the alternate embodimentfrom a bottom perspective which shows how pin 226 extends throughaligned bores 234 and in reinforced beam 236, as well as through bores228 in column 32 thereby locking step 26 to the column 32 or itsextension 230, causing it to move with movement of actuator 38. Pin 226is held in position by means of a threaded nut 238 which abuts tab 240adjacent bore 234 and prevents rotation. The same wrench 242 is likewiseused to tighten threaded element 243 which moves against the jammingelement or clamp 244 wedged between column 230 and reinforced beam 236,further stabilizing step 26.

Reference is now has to FIGS. 20 and 21, wherein the actuating mechanismmay more readily be seen. As shown in FIG. 20, the safety lever 200 hasbeen moved to its innermost position, allowing it to clear the upperportion of ring 202, but actuator 38 has not been pushed down, leavingthe balls 216 against the flat surface 206, extending outwardly andlocking inner columns 32 to collar 34, preventing rotation of the stepas described hereinabove.

In FIG. 21 the upper control portion or actuator 38 has been moveddownwardly, allowing the balls 216 to move inwardly into groove 208,allowing column 32, which as explained hereinabove is connected to step26 to rotate and move the step from its retracted position beneath thevehicle to its extended or deployed position for use in assisting theentrance or exit from the vehicle.

Thus, as can be seen, the inventive retractable step has been modifiedto include a safety feature, improve stability and to allow the deviceto be broken down for shipping and storage. Further, because of therelative location of the safety locking element 200 at the top ofactuator 38, the top may be unlocked and moved into operative positionusing only one hand. The reverse is also true.

While the invention is described and illustrated herein in the contextof a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention maybe embodied in many forms without departing from the spirit or theessential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiment istherefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appendedclaims rather than by the foregoing descriptions and illustrations, andall changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency ofthe claims are intended to be embraced therein.

1. An accessory for use with a motor vehicle, including a trailer hitchreceiver comprising: an outer cylindrical sleeve member adapted to berigidly secured to said trailer hitch with its axis being vertical; aninner cylindrical sleeve member rotatably received into the outer sleevemember; a horizontal platform rigidly secured to the lower end of, androtatable with, said inner sleeve member; an actuator cap encircling theupper portion of the inner sleeve member and latched to said outersleeve member; and a control mechanism secured to the upper portion ofsaid inner sleeve member allowing single handed unlatching and rotationof the platform while maintaining the platform at a constant verticallevel and providing positive stops at predesignated locations about theaxis.
 2. An accessory as in claim 1, wherein the control mechanismincludes a safety unit to prevent inadvertent activation.
 3. Anaccessory as in claim 1, wherein the control mechanism includes aplurality of retractable balls which prevent rotation of the innersleeve member relative to the outer sleeve member when the balls are inthe outermost position.
 4. An accessory as in claim 3, wherein adownward push on the control mechanism allows the balls to retract andthe platform to rotate.
 5. An accessory as in claim 3, wherein the ballsare located about the periphery of the inner sleeve member to stabilizeit.
 6. An accessory as in claim 1, wherein the platform is capable ofbeing secured to said inner sleeve member at more than one verticallocation relative to the trailer hitch receiver.